A new report gets to the truth about overseas drivers on our roads – and it seems we’ve got a bit wrong.
Associate transport minister Craig Foss has released an in-depth analysis of overseas drivers’ crash record on our roads for the past 15 years
“Overseas licence holders, including short-term visitors, crash for the same reasons as New Zealand drivers,” said Foss
“The report shows that very few short-term visitors crash within their first few days in New Zealand,” he said, “and of those that do crash, fatigue is generally not a contributing factor.
“It debunks some common myths, such as visitors, especially those who usually drive on the right-hand side of the road, are crashing because they’re tired after long-haul flights — the data simply doesn’t support this.:
Interestingly, the report reveals that the number of crashes involving overseas license holders has stayed relatively constant over the past decade, at around 6%. The number of overseas visitors has increased by around 40%.
ROAD TOLL
The road toll figures showed that despite the 320 people killed on New Zealand roads last year, the road toll is reducing.
“Despite the high number of deaths last year, long-term the road toll is falling,” said Foss, “and we all have a responsibility to ensure that continues. I expect to release the government’s third Safer Journeys Action Plan, which includes a focus on motorcycle safety, soon.”
The report examines data gathered between 2001 and 2014, when there was a 32% increase in the number of cars on our roads, a 16% bump in population and was 15% more travel.
